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Sweet Reads: Yes, Chef and Murder at First Slice

21 Jul

Yes, Chef
by Grace Reilly
Yes, Chef is the new novel by Grace Reilly author of the Beyond the Play Series. In this story a social media influencer falls for the handsome chef her father just fired. The two of them work to launch a new restaurant in Florida. Both have ADHD, which leads them to bond over the struggles they experienced growing up in neurotypical world. The book is inhabited by a diverse group of characters representing a variety of sexual orientations and ethnic backgrounds. Yes, Chef will appeal to those fond of grumpy/sunshine romances and who enjoy foodie fiction. Chapters alternate between the two main characters giving insight into both their experiences falling for each other. Beyond the romance there are also strong stories about the complexity of biological and found family relationships. Interested in more culinary romances? Check out T.J. Alexander’s Chef’s Kiss and Casey McQuiston’s The Pairing.

Murder at First Slice
by Valerie Burns
Murder at First Slice, which comes out next Tuesday, is the latest charming entry in Valerie Burns cozy A Baker Street Mystery series about Maddy Montgomery a content creator who inherited her grandmother’s bakery (and her giant pet dog). In this serving Maddy is preparing for her wedding and dealing with the feud between her future grandmother-in-law, Hannah, and Hannah’s cousin, Dorothy. When Dorothy is murdered, it is up to Maddy to exonerate Hannah before she walks down the aisle. I always appreciate a mystery series that allows it’s protagonist to develop their relationships and life making it rewarding to enjoy the overall story arc, but the mystery will appeal to those who have not read the previous entries as well. If you enjoy this series, you may also enjoy Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series and Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery Series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Holiday Whodunnits: Five Golden Wings and Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings

24 Dec

Five Golden Wings
by Donna Andrews
It is wedding time again in the funny Meg Lanslow Mystery series. In Five Golden Wings, it isn’t one, but two weddings that are happening between two of Meg’s feuding cousins who have chosen the same day to celebrate their nuptials in Caerphilly. This is mystery thirty-eight in the series, but you do not have to be familiar with the previous book to enjoy the mystery and humor in this novel. I’ve often bailed on series after they go on to long and stop being fresh, but Andrews’s writing continues to be engaging with another fun mystery and her always charming cast of characters. I also liked that in cozy novels sometimes characters can seem too perfect, but the stress of the wedding is making even Meg and some of her sweet family members get a bit cranky. The first in the series Murder with Peacocks also centered around wedding preparations so if you enjoy this one definitely check the original out as well. Andrews also has several other holiday themed entries including Halloween as well as Christmas in the series.

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings
by Liz Ireland
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings was our holiday pick for this year’s December Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion. This year we decided to have added fun by inviting the Mystery Discussion members to join us. There are six books in the series so far including the latest Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine. The first book takes place not long after April married Nick Claus and moved with him to the North Pole where he is taking over the role of Santa after his brother passes away. When a grumpy elf named Giblet Hollyberry dies after discovering a black widow spider apparently hiding in his stocking, April decides to help solve the crime and hopes that it will exonerate her husband who the night before had been decried by Giblet. I liked that though there is a sense of whimsy in some of the description that this still felt like an adult novel and not overly juvenile. April’s adjustment to her in-laws and worries about the fact that she had a short engagement before marrying Nick are those many new brides experience. Ireland builds on bits of Santa legends and adds interesting twists of her own such as the sled reindeer all being female (based on the real life fact that males lose their horns in early fall/start of winter and females keep them through the spring). If you enjoy this unusual spin on the Claus Dynasty you may also enjoy Sara Raasch’s romance about another version of the North Poler rulers, Nightmare Before Kissmass.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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